Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1933, General, Volume I

550.S1 Washington/3: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Edge)⁴⁶

Washington, April 7, 1933—7 p.m.

72. In addition to the invitation already made public to Prime Minister MacDonald to visit the United States,⁴⁷ the President has expressed to the French Ambassador⁴⁸ the pleasure with which he would welcome a visit from the French Prime Minister⁴⁹ or Mr. Herriot.⁵⁰

The Under Secretary received today the diplomatic representatives of Italy, Germany, Japan, China, and the three principal Latin American Powers,⁵¹ and told them that the President would be happy to have the Chief of their respective Governments come to the United States if he cared to do so. If this proved to be impossible, we should be happy to receive a high Government official or to have an exchange of views through diplomatic channels,—all for the purpose of reaching some fundamental understanding in regard to the economic problems between the United States and the countries in question. The Under Secretary asked that his remarks be accepted in the light of an invitation similar to that recently sent to Prime Minister MacDonald.

The Under Secretary explained that in order to assure the success of the forthcoming World Economic Conference in London, it seemed not only essential for us to have some previous understanding on fundamentals with the principal Governments but also to educate the people of this country and of other countries to the importance of the renewal of world trade and commerce. An understanding therefore of mutual problems and the creation of a favorable public opinion throughout the world were therefore two essential factors to the success of the conference.

Please repeat to London, Rome and Berlin.

Hull

46. Substantially the same message as telegram No. 117, April 8, 2 p.m., to the Minister in China, and repeated to the Ambassador in Japan as No. 37; as telegram No. 46, April 8, 2 p.m., to the Ambassador in Mexico; and as circular telegram, April 8, 3 p.m., to the Ambassadors in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
47. Released April 6, 7 p.m.; printed in Department of State, Press Releases, April 8, 1933, p. 219.
48. Paul Claudel.
49. Edouard Daladier.
50. Edouard Herriot, member of the Chamber of Deputies.
51. Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. On April 8 a similar invitation was extended to the Governments of Canada and Mexico.